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Saving the planet with electric cars means strangling this Chilean desert
The oases that once interrupted the dusty slopes of the Atacama desert in northern Chile allowed humans and animals to survive for thousands of years in the world’s driest climate. That was before the mining started.
Renewable gas: A sound option to fight organic waste
The Puente Hills Landfill in Los Angeles is the largest landfill in the United States (rising 500 feet high and covering 700 acres) and it has a capacity of 700 million tons. However, there is one caveat for this exercise that I forgot to mention — none of the organic waste can go to a landfill.
It is time to protect California’s energy diversity
The benefits of diversity are seemingly everywhere in California. We celebrate different lifestyles, religions, cultures, music, languages, cuisine and geography. The value of diversity can be seen in other ways, too, practical ones such as the popularity of mutual fund investments, eating a balanced diet or making sure an NFL team has a playbook with multiple options.
Turning poop into power: California dairies appeal for more state climate change money
Joey Airoso last year hooked his dairy into a huge California renewable energy project, a network of farms that turns the gas leaking off manure from 35,000 cows into a biofuel.
Utilities’ rate hike request proves Californians need energy choice
As some interest groups and regulators in the state discuss whether to mandate electricity as the sole source of energy in the future for Californians, there are growing signs that such a move would have significant economic ramifications.
Edison asks for bigger profits, says bills would rise $14.40 a month for the average home
California’s major monopoly utilities asked regulators Monday to approve higher profits for their shareholders amid a growing risk of destructive fires. The biggest request came from Southern California Edison, where the average household customers could see an annual bill increase of more than $170.
We need both renewables and natural gas
Renewable Energy and natural gas aren’t an “either/or” choice for New England: Now and for years to come, they’re a “both/and” necessity to ensure we have a reliable, affordable energy system our six states can count on.
Natural Gas Needed for California Decarbonization, Energy Policy Report Says
Renewables and battery storage are only part of the equation leading to meeting California’s aggressive decarbonization goals, according to a report presented at a seminar at Stanford University on Wednesday by former Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
Electrify everything? Not if getting rid of natural gas makes California even less affordable
Southern California Edison’s highest rate for homes that use the most electricity is 42 cents per kilowatt-hour, far above the national average of about 12 cents. Granted, Edison’s base rate is much less than 42 cents, but the energy usage covered by that tier is for essentials such as lighting and refrigerators. If we force residents to use only non-gas appliances, their electric bills will likely triple or more.
California’s next frontier in fighting climate change: your kitchen stove
Curtis Stone has been using induction cooktops for years. The Australian celebrity chef — who operates acclaimed restaurants in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills and is planning a pop-up eatery at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this month — said the electric cooking technology is faster, cleaner and more efficient than a traditional gas stove.
California’s self-created future energy crisis
In much of the country a powerful energy boom is providing a serious stimulus to economic growth. But in California, where fossil fuels are considered about toxic as tobacco, we are lurching toward an anticipated energy shortage that will further exacerbate the state’s already deep geographic and class divisions.
Coalition Advocates for Balanced Energy Policies
To most effectively combat climate change, a newly formed organization of natural and renewable gas users and suppliers today called on the State of California to adopt balanced energy policies that protect energy affordability, reliability, and choice.
NREL ‘Bug’ Creates Renewable Natural Gas
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) – In a little bottle that contains what looks like a veggie cocktail, microbiologist Nancy Dowe holds an energy future. In the solution sloshing around in the bottle is a tiny being with a talent for generating a common energy source.
SDG&E and SoCalGas want to offer renewable natural gas to customers
If the utility replaces less than 20% of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable gas, it could achieve the same greenhouse gas reductions as converting all homes and commercial buildings to electric-only energy.
Realtors oppose natural gas ban, support keeping home sales public
The California Association of Realtors voted at its winter meeting to oppose “electrification” of existing homes.
Quebec Natural Gas Suppliers Eyeing RNG to Bypass Drilling Ban
French Canadian natural gas suppliers, barred from tapping Quebec’s tight and shale deposits by provincial regulation, are resorting to a potential green variety that could be produced without drilling wells.
Why 100 Percent Clean Energy in California is Gonna Be Tricky
Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 100 Monday, requiring that 100 percent of the state’s electricity must come from solar, wind and other emissions-free sources by 2045. He also signed an executive order that directs the state to achieve “carbon neutrality” by the same year, and “net negative greenhouse gas emissions” after that.
Renewable natural gas: Study confirms economic potential for Québec regions
A new study has shown that in addition to propelling Québec’s energy transition forward, renewable natural gas (RNG) production is a major driver for economic development in all regions of Québec.
How biomethane can help turn gas into a renewable energy source
Australia’s report card on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions is not exactly glowing, but there are ample opportunities to get it on track during this period of rapid change in the energy sector.
California governor signs bill to aid RNG pipeline integration
On Sept. 20, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that aims to facilitate pipeline integration of renewable natural gas (RNG). The bill was supported by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.
We Need to Capture Carbon to Fight Climate Change
The conclusion of the Paris Agreement in 2015, in which almost every nation committed to reduce their carbon emissions, was supposed to be a turning point in the fight against climate change. But many countries have already fallen behind their goals, and the U.S. has now announced it will withdraw from the agreement. Meanwhile emissions worldwide continue to rise.
Study Shows Long-Term Viability of RNG in California
California Gov. Jerry Brown signed 16 bills covering zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and climate change mitigation efforts last week, as university researchers published a study verifying the long-term viability of renewable natural gas (RNG) sources in the state.
UC develops plans to transition to fully renewable energy by 2025
The University of California will update its own power-generating facilities and procure new renewable energy from third parties to reach its 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2025.
New Ultra-Low Emission Heavy Duty Natural Gas Trucks Hit the Road in California
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Food Express, Inc. (FXI) today announced the addition of 11 new ultra-low emission natural gas trucks to the FXI fleet. The company, with the assistance of SoCalGas, applied for and received $1.1 million in grant funding for the new trucks which started making deliveries today.
Renewable Natural Gas Produced in California by CR&R Flows into SoCalGas Pipelines for First Time
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and waste management company CR&R Environmental (CR&R) today announced they are now injecting renewable natural gas produced at CR&R’s anaerobic digestion facility in Perris, Calif., into SoCalGas pipelines.
SoCalGas, Énergir, GRDF and GRTgaz Announce Collaboration on Low-Carbon and Renewable Gas Initiatives During World Gas Conference
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today joined Énergir, a Canadian natural gas utility, along with French utilities GRDF and GRTgaz to announce a new collaboration aimed at advancing the research and development of renewable natural gas and technologies such as power-to-gas. The collaboration will focus on research and development, public policy, and outreach.
Natural gas-powered trucks are well ahead of electrification
The exhibition hall at the ACT Expo 2018 in Long Beach was stuffed with more vehicles than ever before, including electric buses, forklifts, sedans, SUVs, Sprinter vans, straight trucks, and even an all-electric Class 6 truck from Chinese automaker BYD.
Most of us can’t afford to go all-electric. Here’s a fairer way to curb climate change
On Wednesday, lawmakers in Sacramento are set to debate legislation aimed at taking away Californians’ right to make choices about the energy they use in their homes and businesses.
It’s time for ports to push transition to cleaner heavy-duty trucks: Guest commentary
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are looking at new opportunities to clean our air and protect our climate. It’s a historic opportunity and consistent with California’s long-standing leadership on environmental policy.
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